Soil-test outfit



April 23, 1929. FEDDERSEN 1,710,156 I son. TEST OUTFIT Filed Sept. 27,1927 I Jaw/liar Zkfifzzeas I Wan/1'11 #fddnven MW Q *Mw" Patented Apr.23, 1929.

MARVIN H. rnnnnnsnn, ornns MOINES, IOWA.

SOIL-TEST OUTFIT. I

Application filed September 27, 1927.

The object of my invention is to, provide a soil test outfit of simple,durable, and inexpensive construction.

More particularly it is my object to provide a soil test outfitincluding a container and means for mounting test tubes and a bottle ofchemical in the container in a manner affording a package storage andfor shipment.

IVith these and other objects in view, my invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of mydevice whereby the objects contemplated may be attained, as hereinaftermore fully set forth pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is aperspective view of a soil test outfit embodying myinvention.

Figure 2 is a top or plan View of the same with the cover of thecontainer removed.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 33 ofFigure l.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a filler and separator structure whichis used in the container.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the member which forms the bottoms for thetest tube holders.

It has in recent years become the general practice to test soils foracidity. here an acid reaction i. shown, limestone may be placed on theground in a quantity depending upon the result of the test and thefertility and nature of the soil and the crop to be next planted.Ordinarily farmers are not equipped to make the necessary soil tests. Itis my purpose to provide them with a simple and efficient outfit whichcan be shipped conveniently and with which adequate soil tes s can bemade.

In the drmvings herewith whereby I have illustrated one form in which myinvention may be embodied I have used the reference numeral 10 toindicate generally an ordinary cylindrical carton or container having aremovable screw top 12. The container is preferably provided at itsbottom with a peripheral downwardly projecting rib or rim 14. The bottom10 is thus spaced above any flatsurface upon which the container mayrest. I preferably provide in the interior of the container at thebottom a pad 16 of any suitable material. This container is intended tohold a bottle of testing soluconvenient for Serial No. 222,833.

tion and a plurality of test tubes. In order to hold the bottle and thetest tubes in such mannerthatthey will be properly spaced and protectedI provide the following means: Inside the container 10 is placed atubular spacer 18 whichmay be of card board somewhat shorter than thecontainer. The spacer 18is of substantially less diameter than theinterior of the container 10. Secured to the outer surface of thecontainer 10 at one side thereof I provide a plurality of tubularholders 20. These may be fastened to the. spacer 18 by mucilage or thelike. They extend from approximately the top of the spacer 18 to a pointspaced above the bottom thereof. These holders 20 are preferablysubstantially square in horizontal cross section as shownin Figure 2.They fit snugly between the spacer 1S and the interior surface of thecontainer 10. The spacer 18 and holders 20 thus form filler members. Thefiller 18 receives a bottle 22 which fits loosely therein. The bottle 22is preferably provided with a cork stopper 24 which forms a cushioningmeans at the top of the container 10. For forming bottoms for theholders may be provided. As shown herein I may use a piece of adhesivetape the pattern of which is shown in Figure 5. This comprises a strip26 having as many tongues 28 projecting therefrom as there are holders20. The outer tongues preferably have triangular pieces 80 projectingfrom their lowor ends adjacent to the strip 26. The strip .26 pasted tothe spacer 18 just below the holders 20 and the tongues 28 are extendedbelow the respective holders 20 to form bot toms therefor and are thenextended upwardly andpasted to the outer walls of the holders 10 asshown in Figure 4-. V

The triangular pieces 30 are pasted to the sides of the outer holders'20 to afford greater fastening service (see Figure 1). The holders 20are adapted to receive test tubes 2-52 which project above the holdersfar enough to be conveniently grasped but not far enough to touch thetop 12 of the container 10. When the device is assembled with the bottleand test tubes therein it will be seen that the bottle is protected bythe spacer 18, the holders 20, the pad 16 and the cork 24:. The testtubes 32 are protected by the spacer and the holders and are held abovethe bottom of the container and normally terminate a little below thetop of the con:

20 any suitable means I tainer.

The parts are so shaped that the test tubes are frictionally gripped inthe holders 20. There is thus provided a package which can be shipped byexpress with safety to the contents. i

Changes may be made in the details oithe construction and arrangement ofthe parts in my improved soil test outfit'vvithout departing from thereal spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to coverby my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of included withintheir scope. Y

I claim as my invention: 1. In a soiltest outfit, a tubular container, atubular spacer therein of less diameter than the container, :1- bottlereceived .in said spacer, a plurality of tubular holders supported onone side of said spacer and serving to hold the opposite side thereofagainst one side ot the container, the holders being in contactvwith theopposite-side of the con- "tainer and test tubes in said holders.

2. In a soil test outfit, a tubular container, having a. bottom and aremovable top, a

mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably tubular spacer thereinof less diameter than the container, a bottle received in said spacer ofslightly less diameter than the spacer, a plurality of tubular holdersangular in cross section secured to and supported on the outside oi saidspacer between it and the wall of the container for snugly holding thespacer against the container wall, said holders having bottoms spacedabove the bottom of the container, a plurality of test tubes received insaid holders with their upper ends normally spaced below the top of thecontainer.

3. In a soil test outfit, a tubular container,

' a tubular spacer therein, a plurality of tubular holders secured toand supported on said spacergsaid holders having bottoms comprising apiece of flexible adhesive material having a portion adhering to thewall of said spacer and tongues extending across the bottoms of saidholders and then upwardly and adhering to the sides of said holders. 7

Des Moines, Iowa, September 13, 192-7.

MARVIN H. FEDDERSEN.

